something almost obscene about the little lawyer's exultation.
They are going to duck/ Nick said grimly, and James Teacher sobered
slightly.
Before noon tomorrow, Christy Marine will have lodged for postponement
of hearing, Nick prophesied. You'll have to use Warlock with full power
on both to pull them before the arbitration board. 'Yes, you're
right/James Teacher nodded. They had me puzzled, I sensed something -
I'm not paying you to be puzzled/Nick's voice was low and hard. I'm
paying you to out-guess and out-jump them.
I want them at the hearing on the 27th, get them there, Mr. Teacher. He
did not have to voice the threat, and in a moment, the exultation on
James Teacher's rotund features had changed to apprehension and deep
concern.
The drawing-room in Eaton Square was decorated in cream and pale gold,
cleverly designed as a frame for the single exquisite work of art which
it contained, the original of the group of Degas ballet-dancers whose
copy hung in Golden Dawn's stateroom, It was the room's centre-piece;
cunningly lit by a hidden spotlight, it glowed like a precious jewel.
Even the flowers on the ivory grand piano were cream and white roses and
carnations, whose pale ethereal blossoms put the painting into stronger
contrast.
The only other flash of brightness was worn by Chantelle, she had the
oriental knack of carrying vivid colour without it seeming gaudy. She
wore a flaming Pucci that could not pale her beauty, and as she rose
from the huge shaggy white sofa and came to Nicholas, he felt the soft
warm melting sensation in his stomach spreading slowly through his body
like a draught of some powerful aphrodisiac. He knew he would never be
immune to her.
Dear Nicky, I knew I could rely upon you., She took his hand and looked
up at him, and still holding his hand she led him to the sofa, and then
she settled beside him, like a bright, lovely bird alighting. She drew
her legs up under her, her calves and ankles flashed like carved and
polished ivory before she tucked the brilliant skirt around them, and
lifted the Wedgwood porcelain teapot.
Orange pekoe/ she smiled at him, No lemon and no sugar. He had to smile
back at her. You never forget/ and he took the cup.
I told you that you looked well/ she said, slowly and unselfconsciously
studying him. And you really do, Nicholas. When you came down to
Lynwood for Peters birthday in June I was so worried about you. You
looked terribly ill and tired - but now, she tilted her head critically,
you look absolutely marvelous.
Now he should tell her that she was beautiful as ever, he thought
grimly, and then they would start talking about Peter and their old
mutual friends.
What did you want to talk to me about? he asked quietly, and there was
a passing shadow of hurt in her dark eyes.
Nicholas, you can be so remote, so - she hesitated, seeking the correct
word, so detached., Recently someone called me an ice-cold Pommy
bastard, the agreed, but she shook her head.
